Mammals

Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) reside in the waters of Shark Bay while humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) visit each year. Bernier, Dorre, Salutation and Faure islands are already important for terrestrial mammals while Dirk Hartog Island is on the verge of becoming a refuge for 12 species.

Berneir Island has the only natural wild population of the Shark Bay mouse (Pseudomys fieldi). Bernier and Dorre islands are home to the only natural wild populations of the western barred bandicoot (Perameles bougainville), banded hare-wallaby (Lagostrophus faciatus), and rufous hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus). The survival of boodies (Bettongia lesueur) is also dependent on Bernier and Dorre islands even though they are found elsewhere. Dorre Island is one of only two islands where western barred bandicoots are free of a papilloma virus.

A translocated population of greater stick-nest rats (Leporillus conditor) is thriving on Salutation Island and Faure Island is home to a number of translocated species – boodie, banded hare wallaby, western barred bandicoot and Shark Bay mouse. Peron Peninsula hosts a reintroduced population of bilbies (Macrotis lagotis).

Mammals

About Shark Bay

The shoreline of Shark Bay has a ‘W’ shape formed by the Edel Land peninsula and Dirk Hartog Island to the west, Peron Peninsula in the centre, and the eastern coastal strip. Edel Land is typified by rocky limestone and long, white sand dunes.